Sudan Announces Resumption of GERD Talks

Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam is seen as it undergoes construction on the river Nile. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri
Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam is seen as it undergoes construction on the river Nile. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri
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Sudan Announces Resumption of GERD Talks

Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam is seen as it undergoes construction on the river Nile. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri
Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam is seen as it undergoes construction on the river Nile. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri

Sudan has announced the resumption of talks with Egypt and Ethiopia to resolve the dispute over the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River.

Talks have been resumed via video conference between the three countries, with the mediation of South Africa, the current chair of the African Union.

In a press statement on Friday, which Asharq Al-Awsat has obtained a copy of, Sudan’s Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources said Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok received a letter from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that praised the positive and constructive role that Sudan has played during the recent meeting of the AU heads of states over the GERD.

Hamdok’s contribution to the meeting affirmed Sudan’s commitment to reach a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution for the three parties, the letter read.

Ramaphosa also highlighted Khartoum’s “refraining from taking any measures or making any statements that could negatively affect the course of negotiations.”

Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that the mediators and parties involved in these talks held Friday a procedural session during which they discussed the basis for negotiations.

Minister of State at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) presented her country’s speech. Representatives of the three countries also delivered their opening remarks.

A detailed report over the progress of negotiations will be presented to the Presidents of South Africa and the three countries after a week.

Earlier round of talks failed to produce a deal on the operation and filling of the dam, prompting Egypt to appeal for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to intervene.



Netanyahu Says he Ordered Military to Prepare for Intense War in Lebanon if Ceasefire Violated

(FILES) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures after speaking during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on September 27, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
(FILES) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures after speaking during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on September 27, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
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Netanyahu Says he Ordered Military to Prepare for Intense War in Lebanon if Ceasefire Violated

(FILES) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures after speaking during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on September 27, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
(FILES) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures after speaking during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on September 27, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday during an interview with Israeli Channel 14 that he had ordered the military to be prepared for an intense war in Lebanon if the ceasefire's framework is violated.

The ceasefire was brokered by the United States and France to end the conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, fought in parallel with the Gaza war. The truce lasts for 60 days in the hope of reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities.

The ceasefire deal stipulates that unauthorized military facilities south of the Litani River should be dismantled, but does not mention military facilities north of the river.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 3,961 people and injured 16,520 others since October 2023, the Lebanese health ministry said on Thursday.

Hezbollah strikes have killed 45 civilians in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. At least 73 Israeli soldiers have been killed in northern Israel, the Golan Heights, and in combat in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli authorities.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israeli forces can take up to 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon but neither side can launch offensive operations.

Netanyahu also said that conditions for reaching a possible deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip have considerably improved.
Asked about a possible hostage deal in the interview, Netanyahu said: "I think the conditions have very much changed for the better."
He did not give specific details.